At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead grant-making cycles and build relationships with grassroots charities in Oxfordshire.
- Company: A community-focused organisation dedicated to making Oxfordshire fairer and healthier.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Oxfordshire and opportunities for community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in local communities and champion inclusive funding.
- Qualifications: Experience in grants management and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Our client exists to strengthen local communities by investing in the grassroots organisations that make Oxfordshire a fairer, healthier and more connected place to live. Prospectus is delighted to be working with our client to recruit an outstanding Head of Grants and Inclusion to lead its grant-making cycles and act as the face of the organisation to the small charities and community groups they fund. This is a senior, highly visible, and rewarding role for someone who thrives on building relationships, understands the power of being present in communities, and is motivated by social impact.
The Role
As Head of Grants and Inclusion, you will be a senior member of the team, leading grants programmes and championing inclusive, community-centred funding across the region. This is a strongly external and public facing role. You will spend much of your time out in Oxfordshire’s towns, villages and neighbourhoods—visiting groups, attending community events, and building deep, first-hand understanding of local needs. These in-person connections are essential to how the organisation works and to the intelligence they provide to donors, partners and grantees. This leadership role will be the primary point of contact for leaders from the grassroots charities and community groups funded by the organisation. They will assess need, monitor grants, offer support, and build trusted relationships. They will be representing the organisation at external forums and occasionally speaking to community audiences.
The Head of Grants and Inclusion is responsible for leading the organisation's grants decision-making processes whilst ensuring fairness, rigour and inclusion. They are the key staff link with the expert Grants and Impact Committee which oversees the organisation's grant-making for the Board. They also present to and participate in monthly decision-making Grants Panels drawn from community volunteers. Monitoring and evaluating the impact of the organisation's funding is a key responsibility and this person will be responsible for utilising and developing the organisation's CRM database (Salesforce), including playing an active role in its upgrade. They will work closely with colleagues in the Oxford office, including attending the all-staff day each Tuesday.
The Person
The successful candidate will have an established track record as a Senior Grants Manager in the UK and will be an organised, confident and natural relationship-builder who believes that inclusion is essential to successful grant making. They will have a strong educational background, excellent written and verbal communication skills with a good eye for detail and accuracy. They will also have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage their own workload and support others to deliver on time (line management experience would be an advantage). Fantastic customer-service mindset, with empathy for volunteers and small organisations and the confidence working with databases and systems, ideally including Salesforce and a collaborative, solutions driven approach and a willingness to get involved across the breadth of a small organisation. They will be comfortable engaging with monitoring and evaluation concepts and knowledgeable or willing to learn about their application in a grassroots context. This person will also need a natural enthusiasm for travelling across Oxfordshire and being out in the community on a weekly basis, a willingness to attend occasional planned evening events (with time off in lieu) and a full driving licence will probably be essential. They will either be living in the Oxfordshire region or willing to re-locate. If you are motivated by community impact, inclusion, and building relationships where they matter most, we would love to hear from you.
Head of Grants and Inclusion employer: PROSPECTUS-4
Contact Detail:
PROSPECTUS-4 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Grants and Inclusion
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend community events, workshops, and local meet-ups. Building relationships in person is key for roles like Head of Grants and Inclusion, so don’t be shy—introduce yourself and share your passion for community impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your face! Spend time visiting grassroots organisations and community groups. This not only helps you understand their needs but also positions you as a trusted ally in the community, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to talk about your experience with grant-making and inclusion. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or community leaders, highlight your successes and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Grants and Inclusion
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Grants and Inclusion role. Highlight your experience in grant management and community engagement, showing us how you align with our mission to support grassroots organisations.
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build and maintain relationships. We want to see examples of how you've successfully engaged with community groups or charities in the past, as this is a key part of the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at PROSPECTUS-4
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research the local communities in Oxfordshire. Understand their needs and challenges, and think about how your experience aligns with these. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Whether it's with community groups or stakeholders, be ready to discuss specific instances where your interpersonal skills made a difference. This is crucial for a role that focuses on community engagement.
✨Demonstrate Your Grant-Making Knowledge
Brush up on your understanding of grant-making processes and the importance of inclusion in funding. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure fairness and rigour in decision-making. Highlight any relevant experience you have with CRM systems like Salesforce, as this will be a key part of the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Monitoring and Evaluation
Since monitoring and evaluating impact is a significant responsibility, come prepared to talk about your experience with these concepts. Think about how you've applied them in past roles and be ready to share your thoughts on their importance in a grassroots context.